Where does Payday 1 take place?
Payday: The Heist, released in 2011, was the first installment of the Payday series. Since its release, fans have been curious about the location of the game. Does it take place in New York, Washington D.C., or somewhere else?
First World Bank and the FBI Files
As revealed in the game’s database, the First World Bank is stated to be a revisiting of the bank after it reopened following its previous robbery. According to the FBI Files, it has "all the hallmarks of a classic job." However, its location is moved from New York to Washington D.C. in-game.
Payday Inspiration
The Payday series was inspired by the 1995 crime film Heat. This has led to speculation among fans about the connection between the games and the movie. Since the movie is set in Los Angeles, fans might wonder if the games were also set in this location. However, according to the game’s creator, Overkill, there is no direct connection between the games and the movie.
Character Motivations
Understanding the motivations of the main characters can provide insight into where the game takes place. Dallas, one of the main characters, was inspired by the main antagonist in Heat, Vincent Hanna. Dallas is an American, and it can be inferred that the game takes place in a place familiar to him.
In-Game Dialogue and Clues
Another approach to understanding the setting of Payday 1 is to analyze the in-game dialogue and clues. There are no direct hints at the location, but hints at the American system. For example, one character mentions the "Liquor Control Board," a government agency in Washington D.C.
Speculations and Theories
Some fans speculate that Payday 1 takes place in Washington D.C., citing the moved First World Bank location. However, this theory does not account for the fact that the game’s developers would not have created the move without a reason.
Other fans propose a combination of locations, where parts of the game take place in different cities or even countries. This theory attempts to explain the contradictory details in the game. However, there is currently no concrete evidence to support this theory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are hints at the American system in-game, there is currently no definitive answer to the location of Payday 1. The game’s developer, Overkill, does not provide direct clues to the location, leading fans to speculate and create their own theories. One possible location is Washington D.C., but this has yet to be confirmed by the developers.
Interesting facts and trivia
• Payday 2 features a similar location, which is also moved to a different city (From New York to Washington D.C.).
• The game’s music score is inspired by a soundtrack from a 70’s American crime film, suggesting a connection to the era and location.
• The game’s AI (Artificial Intelligence) Director is inspired by real-world heists, allowing the game to simulate the action and tension of a real heist.
Here are some key points summarised in a table:
| Location | Speculation | Evidence |
| Washington D.C. | Possibly | Moved First World Bank location, hints at the American system |
| Multiple locations | Possibly | Account for contradictory details, unclear evidence |
| Other US cities | Possibly | Clues in the game might point to other cities in the US |
| Foreign locations | Possibly | Rumors and speculation but lack of concrete evidence |
| Unclear | Certainly | No direct answer provided by the game’s developers |